[Pervasive refusal syndrome in a 12-year-old boy]

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Pediatric Psychology
• Psychosomatic Medicine

Context:

• Pervasive refusal syndrome is a rare but severe condition affecting children and adolescents.
• Early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment are crucial for positive outcomes.
• This case highlights the complex interplay between psychological distress and physical manifestations in pediatric patients.

Purpose:

• To present a case study of a 12-year-old boy diagnosed with pervasive refusal syndrome.
• To illustrate the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and treatment course of this condition.
• To emphasize the importance of long-term psychiatric care in achieving recovery.

Summary:

• A formerly healthy 12-year-old boy presented with a two-month history of severe coughing and abdominal pain, leading to school absence and progressive immobility.
• He required gastric tube feeding and adopted a fetal position, necessitating a 34-month inpatient stay in a child psychiatric department.
• Gradual recovery was achieved, and at age 20, he was living independently and attending higher education.

Impact:

• This case underscores the potential for significant physical impairment in pervasive refusal syndrome.
• It demonstrates that with appropriate and sustained psychiatric intervention, individuals can achieve remarkable recovery and reintegrate into society.
• The findings support the efficacy of specialized child psychiatric care for complex psychosomatic disorders.